YPAM

Hiromi Maruoka, who has served as Director of the Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting (YPAM; formerly Tokyo Performing Arts Market / Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama / TPAM) since 2005, has brought her tenure to a close, effective 31 March 2026. Moving forward, YPAM will operate with its current team under a revised structure, collectively assuming directorial responsibilities and leading operations.

Message from Hiromi Maruoka:
On concluding her tenure as Director

I have been involved with YPAM for 30 years, since its beginnings in 1995 as the Tokyo Performing Arts Market (TPAM) in Tokyo. Since 2005, I have had the privilege of serving as Director, a role I have held for more than two decades. As an international platform for performing arts professionals and the only one of its kind in Japan, YPAM relocated to Yokohama in 2011 and has, over the years, navigated numerous challenges while adapting to the changing times and evolving needs of the field. Through these efforts, we have continued to provide a platform where people engaged in performing arts from around the world come together on a regular basis. I believe this has been possible only through close collaboration with international colleagues and audiences, and I take great pride in all that we have achieved together. The COVID-19 pandemic brought profound changes across the globe. Amid these challenges, both new and long-standing staff have worked closely and effectively to bring YPAM into its next phase. With this team in place, I have decided to step down from my role as Director. YPAM will continue to promote the development of the performing arts and foster international exchange with the same team under a revised structure. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported YPAM over the years. Thank you very much.

■ Staff
Katsuhiro Ohira (Secretary General)
Tomoyuki Arai (Senior Program Officer)
Ryo Tanaka (Program Officer)
Hayato Okada (Program Officer)
Shiro Amemiya (Public Relations)
Felicity Chao (Public Relations)
Kimiko Arai (Operations & Systems Manager)

■ Next edition: YPAM2027
Friday, 5 February – Sunday, 14 February 2027

We look forward to meeting you again in Yokohama.